PETER Lovenkrands was pulled out of the Newcastle United squad heading for Watford today.

Toon boss Chris Hughton was earlier hopeful that the Dane would be "available" for the clash with the Hornets, but after today's training session at the club's Benton base the ex-Rangers man was withdrawn from the squad.

The news will come as a blow to the Magpies as the Danish star has been in a rich vein of form recently, and has netted in his last two games for the black and whites.

Lovenkrands was forced to come off with a hamstring problem against Preston North End last weekend, and added to the fact that Shola Ameobi still not fit after breaking down in training with a hamstring problem, United will be hoping they soon recover so the squad isn't left threadbare heading into the business end of the Championship season.